The federal government awards about $160 billion in grants, work-study funds, low-interest loans and other financial aid each year. To tap into that aid, you must fill out a FAFSA—Free Application for Federal Student Aid—a form designed to help colleges understand your family’s financial picture.

Nearly every college and university uses the FAFSA to determine federal, state and school-sponsored financial aid. That means you only need to fill out one form per student, whether or not you know what college they’ll be attending. Even if you don’t think you qualify for aid because of your income level, it’s a good idea to fill it out just in case.

You can start filling the FAFSA out as early as October 1 each year. Keep in mind that you must refile every year your student is in school, and you must file a separate form for each student. The deadline is June 30, but you can submit corrections or updates until September 15.

Tip: Even though the federal deadline is June 30, your student’s college or state may have its own deadline, and some deadlines may be rolling. It’s a good idea to file the FAFSA as early as possible after October 1 to maximize your chances of getting aid.

To complete the form, you need parents’ Social Security numbers, federal income tax returns, W-2s and income records, as well as bank statements and investment records. Parents can fill out the FAFSA on behalf of a dependent student, or the student can fill it out using parents’ financial information.

Tip: The paperwork can take a few hours to complete, but gathering this information ahead of time can speed up the process.

The material provided on this website is for informational use only and is not intended for financial or investment advice. Bank of America and/or its affiliates, and Khan Academy, assume no liability for any loss or damage resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional when making decisions regarding your financial or investment options.

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